Electroreduction of a Sodium Salt of 4-Nitrosodiphenylamine: Effect of the Technological Solution Components

Two methods of preparation of 4-aminodiphenylamine (I) are compared: by electrochemical reduction of an alkaline solution of 4-nitrosodiphenylamine (II), extracted from a technological solution, and by electrolysis of the solution itself, which contains, apart from the nitroso compound, methanol and NaCl. By voltammetry and preparative electrosynthesis it is shown that the lower reduction rate of the technological solution of the Na salt of II is due to inhibiting effects of methanol and NaCl. Tetraalkylammonium cations, decreasing the limiting reduction current of II, do not affect the electrosynthesis rate when the generated I is continuously extracted into a water-immiscible solvent.